Re: [Rolly] Introduce Yourself -- Part 3

We haven't found an "Introductions" topic anywhere, so this seems to be a reasonable place to begin. Been visiting here for a few months now, and especially for some of you who post frequently, it seems like we already know you. We're still NoB, with hopes of making a move south in the next few years. With a little digging and following existing threads we've learned so much already, but there are questions we'd still like to ask. Before we jump in, it seems only fair to say something about ourselves so you'll know us a bit too.

Dan and Carmen here, currently working & residing in the Skagit Valley in Washington State, USA. Despite enjoying what we do to support ourselves here in this beautiful corner of the US, the years are catching up with us and we are considering what “retirement” might mean for us, relying solely on social security and modest savings for the years ahead of us.

Life experiences so far for Carmen are: growing up in rural Pennsylvania, training for and being a skilled hairdresser in Wisconsin, a stint making circuit boards in California, then moving to Washington State and starting/running a dairy goat farm & cheese-making business, then 15 years as a restaurant manager and another similar period as the kitchen manager & event planner for a retirement facility. She’s a life-time avid gardener, is a whiz in the kitchen, and loves her cats. Slowing down just a bit from the almost non-stoppable pace she’s applied to everything she does.

For Dan: growing up in suburban Michigan, college in New England (remembering Dr Michael Coe’s course on MesoAmerica that first interested him in the lands SoB), a few years as a travel agent & Caribbean cruise manager, several years in the Peace Corps in rural Guatemala working with a large rabbit co-op, has an MBA (HRM & Tourism), was a mail-order bookseller, built and managed our own restaurant in the North Cascades for 20 years, and now, for a similar length of time, small business consultant/tax-preparer/accountant from his home office. He’s a lifetime photographer, owner-builder/remodeler, appreciator of vernacular & alternative building techniques, planner, web & computer-tinkerer, and generalist geek. All his offspring (and theirs--he’s a grandpa to four) live in the Seattle area.

We have traveled a bit out of the country, and have each always had thoughts like “Could I move here and live happily” in some of the more agreeable areas we’ve visited over the years. But, realistically it would be nice to not stray too far from the US, to allow for occasional visits to/from family. That last sort of eliminates some spots we’ve liked in southern Europe and Mediterranean, and crossing the Pacific is just too far. South America is probably the same, although Ecuador still beckons just a little. Wherever we settle, we really want to find a spot where the snow falls only in the distance, and the garden doesn’t freeze out each winter. Not looking for the island life, so we’re probably not headed to the Caribbean, despite Dan’s past-life familiarity with that area of the world. That leaves México and Central America.

We have the most experience traveling together in México. A good number of winter vacations had us autobussing around a good bit of the country, a few times accompanied by family taking advantage of Dan’s facility with Spanish (a benefit of his stint as a PCV many decades ago in Guatemala).

We know that most North American visitors head for the beach, but salt-water & sand hold little attraction for us that doesn’t dispel in a day or two at most. Beach & resort-area life would bore us, and the Mexican coastal cities to which we’ve returned the most are Acapulco and Puerto Vallarta, probably because we can be comfortable in the old town areas. Melaque and Guayabitos/La Peñita are smaller coastal towns we’ve enjoyed.

We seem to enjoy ourselves most in the highlands, and in smaller cities and slower-paced communities where we can interact with the culture of everyday México. Cities we’ve enjoyed the most are Uruapan, Xalapa, Pátzcuaro, Dolores Hidalgo (used as a base for visiting Guanajuato & SMA), San Cristobal and Mérida. We almost bought an eight room hotel in Ixtapan de la Sal, and have managed to include this white pueblo, and the big hot springs north of town, on our many of trips. With Dan’s PCV experience to draw from, we are fairly confident about being able to adapt to a good life SoB, and to be good neighbors in any nice community.

Trying to find the “right place” means determining what characteristics a town should have for our own sense of well-being. These are on the list for us, in no way ranked in importance: A long growing season. Some topography interest & views, with mountains in the distance (maybe some snow at the top), and the salt water not too far away, would be a plus. A moderate climate, not too hot in the summer nor cold in winter. No water shortages--somewhere where rivers & streams run most of the year would be nice. Don’t mind some clouds or rain (in fact, we’d miss them if they weren’t there!). A manageable cost of living. A good internet connection. Reliable electricity. Enough home space for a large patio or small jardín for lots of flowering plants. Access to reliable, not too expensive, medical care (we’re both reasonably healthy and mobile). Close-by shops for necessities (mercado, panaderia, farmacia, ferreteria), and farther-away bigger stores for periodic stocking up. A smaller town, with access to a not too distant city (perhaps a university city) where there are urban health and some cultural resources.

We don't mind renting for a while, moving around a bit until we find the right place. But, ultimately it seems we'd want our own place, as keeping busy by growing things, building and renovating has always kept us happy and interested in life.

Seems like lots of you have found comfortable places to hang your sombreros, and we hope to have the same success.

Dan & Carmen

================================ Veracruz has to be the best kept secret in Mexico. http://etepetzin.blogspot.com -&- http://azuledos.blogspot.com

Re: [johanson] Introduce Yourself -- Part 3

Maybe you should consider Colima or Comala, Colima.........they seems to have most everything you listed....2 volcanoes, rivers that run year 'round, 45 min to beautiful beaches, culture, hiking....temperate climate,much drier in the summer than most coastal areas but with all year growing abilities.

Re: [rockydog85251] Introduce Yourself -- Part 3

The previous recommendation to consider Colima or Comala is a good one.

My own recommendation is the Tepic area. It has all the advantages of Colima or Comala, offers perhaps an even better cultural ambiance to meet your requirements and most importantly offers a much cheaper cost of living. It also has a somewhat more tropical climate than does Colima. In fact a late friend who had lived in Guadalajara for more than 20 years and had explored and written about almost every possible retirement town in Mexico (the now defunct Adventures in Mexico Aim a bimonthly newsletter) moved to Tepic because to him it offered the nearest climate to Honolulu, Hawaii.

You listed your preferences as:>>>>>>>>>>Trying to find the “right place” means determining what characteristics a town should have for our own sense of well-being. These are on the list for us, in no way ranked in importance: A long growing season. Some topography interest & views, with mountains in the distance (maybe some snow at the top), and the salt water not too far away, would be a plus. A moderate climate, not too hot in the summer nor cold in winter. No water shortages--somewhere where rivers & streams run most of the year would be nice. Don’t mind some clouds or rain (in fact, we’d miss them if they weren’t there!). A manageable cost of living. A good internet connection. Reliable electricity. Enough home space for a large patio or small jardín for lots of flowering plants. Access to reliable, not too expensive, medical care (we’re both reasonably healthy and mobile). Close-by shops for necessities (mercado, panaderia, farmacia, ferreteria), and farther-away bigger stores for periodic stocking up. A smaller town, with access to a not too distant city (perhaps a university city) where there are urban health and some cultural resources.<<<<<<<<<

In the Tepic area you can find that all your preferences are covered except the snow on the mountains. One caution: If you are not experienced with the burning of sugar cane, the haze produced during the harvesting season could be worrisome unless you choose your projected living site very carefully. Another caution is that expats are few although you will find many English speaking Mexicans. As ever, jerezano.

Re: [Rolly] Introduce Yourself -- Part 3

Sr. y Sra. Anónimo, now have completed 5 years in the Lago Pátzcuaro area. We have lived 4 years in a ranching community on the slopes slightly above a beautiful valley. It's tranquil and peaceful, with very friendly neighbors, and we never tire of the view of the valley and mountains. http://picasaweb.google.com/...wers?feat=directlink

Our go to place for shopping and services is Pátzcuaro with occasional visits to the big city excitement of Morelia, just 45 minutes away. EDIT: I want to add that they are still renting, as the situation is advantageous to them, free of the headaches of home ownership, and a sense of freedom to take off and leave (However unlikely that is) if a reason arises.

Re: [Anonimo] Introduce Yourself -- Part 3

Part time and sometimes full time over past 20 years in Edomex where we own a home. Can't imagine living here without Spanish skills and the right attitude. Sadly, Otomí and Mazateco less and less important (exi injexto)

Re: [Rolly] Introduce Yourself -- Part 3

After reading so many stories here I decided that I should introduce myself as well...I was born in Romania, 45 years ago. I married my husband who's dream was to come to America, and even if that wasn't my dream, I followed because mine was to travel. In communist regime traveling outside was as possible like a trip on the moon. We lived in a refugee camp in Malmo, Sweden, for one year. Here we succeeded after a lot of letters, and interviews to come legally to USA. We lived first 7 years in the suburbs of Atlanta Ga. My husband passed away of leukemia at only 38.Then I moved to Pennsylvania with my job at the time. We have a son , who I raised alone and of who I am very proud. He finished Duquesne University International Studies, now has a great job and also is working on his masters at only 23 . I Have a degree from PSU in social studies. I lived in US for almost 20 years..and took every opportunity to travel....From all my trips, one country had that special something no other one had...and that was Mexico. I was there first time in 2004, in Cancun, and instead of staying in the tourist place...I explored as much as I could in one week...Isla Mujeres, Cancun the real town, Valladolid, Iquil, Chichen-Itza....I was so emotionally touched by everything I've seen that after returning to US, my only thought was...how to return. I studied Spanish in Romania four years in high-school...and even if I forgot a lot, I realized that it was coming back to me relatively easy, especially since Romanian language is a Latin language, just like Spanish, Portugese, Italian and French.Now, I can say I speak 80% , good enough to amaze all the natives.Last year I went again in Mexico , invited by my friend that I have met here In US and now returned to his county.Here I lived with a mexican family and loved life more than ever. Again and again I felt like I did not want to return back. I was there for the winter holidays and enjoyed the first day of this year on the top of Xochicalco, next to Cuernavaca. Unfortunately I had to return ...I was just in vacation. Made lost of preparations and in July went back to Mexico. This time for 3 month...I did not succeed in find work so once again I had to return to US. Now I am in Los Angeles, where my dream is to make enough money to return for good in Mexico. I lived in Distrito Federal...which I absolutely love...and is hard to explain and to be understood why I love it so much.Now my only hope and desire is to return as soon as possible.

Re: [Rolly] Introduce Yourself -- Part 3

Been lurking here for many months and decided it's time to register and join in the fun.

I'm a 50-something librarian (database management services) at a semi-large university in south-central Texas. SWMBO is an IT manager for a company in Austin. SWMBO is also a very talented semi-professional photographer (we ran our own gallery for a few years before we figured we were losing too much of our retirement money on it).

I've been going to Mexico since the late sixties, as my dad loved Mexico and took the family there on summer vacations. We would stay in Mexico City and travel around from there for most of the summer. It was only natural that I wound up studying Spanish in college (plus Mesoamerican anthropology/archaeology). Also, I spent a summer in Mexico City my sophomore year living with a local family and ostensibly studying at the Universidad Iberoamericana.

My (Canadian) wife had never been to Mexico until she married me. We made a couple of trips, one to Merida, and one to Ixtapa/Zihua (the kids wanted to go to the beach), before the Fateful Trip. She was trying to figure out where to head next when I mentioned that in college we had made a road trip to a little place called San Miguel de Allende, and I wouldn't mind seeing it again. (Keep in mind that my original visit was in 1975.)

She found a place to rent on VRBO, and we wound up staying in a lovely place in the Aldea. (The man who owns the house has since become a dear friend, and we visit him every time we're in town.) My wife fell in love with SMA, the climate, the food, the people, etc. and we've been traveling back at least once a year since.

We started talking seriously about retiring there a couple of years ago, but real estate was so high, plus to be honest, the expat presence was a little too much for our tastes. Then we happened upon our little ghost town about 45 minutes away from SMA, and as luck would have it, a nice, large house with studio/gallery space, detached workshop (for my woodworking), etc. was on the market.

We made the plunge, and everything is pointing towards it being the right move. We've got a great home, good neighbors, SMA nearby, another city of 80,000 within 10 minutes drive, Queretaro about an hour away, plus our little town is undergoing a general renaissance.

Now we just have to make the move happen. If all goes well, sometime next year we'll be permanent residents of [name withheld to protect the innocents].

I've really enjoyed my time reading and learning here, and I'll try not to be so wordy in the future. :-}

Re: [Rolly] Introduce Yourself -- Part 3

Born in Denmark immigrated to Canada, farmer, computer consultant, manufacturer and now retired living half time in La Peñita de Jaltemba, Nayarit just a bit more than an hour north of Puerto Vallarta.

Retired may be stretching the truth since I decided 8 months ago to start an on line magazine in our small community with the objective of promoting our community to visitors and potential visitors and bridging the gap between our foreign and national communities. That is the JaltembaJalepeno.com. I try to post here when something significant happens in our area like my reports on the bridge collapse and rehabilitation and the emergency landing at PV airport as well as subjects that may be of more general interest like my articles on choosing the best on line flight and of course the immigration application procedures. Occasionally I will also give you a story about what is happening in our small town. Anyone who wants to follow more closely life in small town Mexico is of course welcome to check out the front page. By all means visit us in La Peñita. Any Thursday is a great day to check out tianguis, our open air market.

I very much appreciate the wealth of experience that you all offer so freely...Johan

Johan....If we all do a little we can do a lot. Visit our little corner of paradise at the Jaltemba Jalapeño.

Re: [Rolly] Introduce Yourself -- Part 3

Although I have been following the forum about 3 years and occasionally contributing, I have not introduced myself really.

I am Barbara, and my dog is Maritsa. Her mother was lab and beagle, and her father was lab and pitbull. So she is black, with brown brindle markings on her face and legs, and she barks like a beagle and has beagle ears.

I grew up in New Jersey - close to Pennsylvania, where it is still the Garden State. I was married for 19 years and have four children - daughter 33 yrs old, daughter 28 yrs old, and son and daughter twins age 26.

Bowling was a big part of my life for many years. I grew up helping my mother run the snackbar in the bowling alley, met my husband at that bowling alley, and also worked there for many years, running the front desk, leagues, coaching junior bowlers, fixing the pinsetters, tending bar and snackbar. My youngest daughter has a 236 average and has bowled 14 sanctioned 300`s. I have bowled 3 300's and was inducted into the Morris County NJ women`s bowling hall of fame in 1996.

In 1993 I decided to go back to school, and chose an Occupational Therapy Assistant Program. I graduated with honors and was excited to begin a new career. But my marriage broke up and I fell apart, so I ended up working as an instructional aide with special ed students for 7 years in the high school I had graduated from.

So I headed to the OBX of NC in 2003, worked for a landscaping company, started doing yards myself, worked for Coca Cola for 2 years. My children were grown so I started over. I always thought I would end up being a Social Worker or maybe even a missionary, but that never happened.

I have always loved to read, like to write too - I took a course in Writing Your Memoirs and enjoyed it . Took some art lessons and got into painting for a while. I play the piano and organ, a little guitar.

It seems that I have always been a "jack of all trades but master of none." I have gone through the EST course (1980), TM, yoga, and karate at different times in my life. Also went through 2 years of co dependent groups and NA after my son overdosed on heroin in 1999 and almost died. Thankfully, he is clean 10 years and working hard.

So here I am, wondering what to do with the rest of my life, however long that will be - not complaining - but looking back and wondering where the years went and why I never became a master at anything. But my mother always said that there is a reason for everything and I do believe her. As the saying goes, "The only person you spend your whole life with, is yourself."

Re: [Rolly] Introduce Yourself -- Part 3

If everyone was like me and completed their "profile" maybe we wouldn't need to introduce ourselves. It is very frustrating to see a post regarding a problem in a specific location when you can't discover where that location is because the "profile" states "no location given".

Re: [Rolly] Introduce Yourself -- Part 3

Hi, my name is Sheila. I'm getting ready to move to Texcoco, Mexico to be with my soon to be husband. I will be moving down with my 2 children and hopefully all of our pets. I'm getting lots of conflicting information on how to get my animals down there and how many I can take, so I will be posting questions about that. Soon to be in Texcoco

Re: [Rolly] Introduce Yourself -- Part 3

Hello! I wanted to make a short introduction. My name is Tomás (en español). I am a gringo from the USA, mid-40s, single and retired from a career in engineering. I have lived for a time in a few other countries, so I am an experienced expat.

I am exploring a move to Mexico. I like warm and hot weather and I also liked the Mexican culture I was exposed to while living in Southern California. However, I actually have little experience in Mexico itself, having only spent about a month of my life there, in total, even though I lived near the border for many years. I already speak Spanish fairly well, although I am not fluent, having lived in Colombia for a time. I grew up on Mexican food and absolutely love it.

After doing some research, I am thinking of checking out Mazatlán in an exploratory trip. I like the climate there for year-around living, although the hot and humid summer might be a little tough. It is a right-sized city for me (around 500,000 metro area), not too big or too small. There are tourists and expats there, which I really enjoy, but they also don't dominate the scene nor is tourism the biggest industry. The beach is a nice bonus. And I hope that it is OK for guys to wear shorts around there sometimes when it is hot, lol.

I am also open to other places to explore if people have suggestions. I looked at some places in the highlands (I stayed in Morelia before), but the winters and nights there are just too cold for me. I would rather live somewhere where it rarely gets below 60 F (15.5 C) day or night year around.

My biggest concerns (or maybe unknowns about the future) are the continuing narco-violence in Mexico and what that means for non-narco-related crime and the direction of the country as a whole. And also how well I might integrate into the local expat community, which is important to me.

Re: [Tomas_en_Mexico] Introduce Yourself -- Part 3

I am an American living in Playa Del Carmen, Quintana Roo, where I have been working in property management and building administration for the last 5 years. I am currently attending university here and will receive my Mexican law degree in 2012. I am married to a Mexican woman and we have a 5 month old son. I continue to work in the real estate field and am working as a paralegal in the law firm of CHF Associates.

Re: Introduce Yourself -- Part 3

My name is Karen, I'm 32 and I live in a small town outside Mazatlan. Originally from Alberta, Canada. I'm not married have no children (well they exist in the form of 2 Labradors)

I am here with my parents who are semi-retired. My choice in joining them is due to my health (or lack there of!). It's been a little bit of an adjustment but every time I go back to Alberta I can't wait to get back.

Re: [KathyRRozier] Introduce Yourself -- Part 3

Re: [Rolly] Introduce Yourself -- Part 3

Hello. My name is Alan. I now live in San Luis Potosi most of the year. I live in Mexicali part of the year. I also live in San Diego part of the year. I have been going to the border cities of TJ and Mexicali for over 30 years and speak intermediate or better Spanish. I was recently married in SLP in the summer of 2010. I spent most of my time off in Mexicali since 2005 [including weekends] and retired in early 2008 when I moved to Mexicali for 2 years and visited SLP regularly but now since being married stay in SLP more than 3/4 of the year. I hope to read here and enjoy the atmosphere.

Re: [Rolly] Introduce Yourself -- Part 3

HI, My name is Terry and my husband and I are moving to Mexico in a couple of months. I have been on another forum for a few months and just discovered this one. I do see a couple of posters who are also on the other forum (hi all). My husband is a Mexican national who has lived in the US since he was 16 - so a little more than 30 years, but has family in Michocan. We are moving to Guerrero, a couple of hours south driving from Acapulco into a small fishing town- and I mean very small. We have a house there and friends who have basically "adopted" us. My Spanish is passable and I intend to become fluent as quickly as possible. There are only 3 people in town who speak English, one adult, one teen and one kid, so I will have non stop opportunity to practice. We are very excited and are in the process of packing, getting rid of stuff, and slogging thru various paperwork requirements but it's coming along. I just got my apostille in the mail a couple of days ago. We also have a big lab named Sam and he will be making the trip with us. I've been making trips to Mexico over the past 10 years and so have visited several areas, but when we went to Playa Ventura I knew in my heart I had found home. So I guess that's it for now; I hope to be a contributor here as well as able to soak up info and ideas....Thanx!

Re: [Rolly] Introduce Yourself -- Part 3

Greetings!!! My name is Essmer. I am a bilingual Mexican citizen currently 24 years old living in NYC. Now I'm not sure what I should be saying in this introduction so ill tell you my biggest secret and why I'm here.

I was brought to the US at the age of 2 and have been here ever since. Life has been rough being an illegal immigrant, most of all is hiding it. The worst was during the junior and senior years of High School when 98% of my advanced placement and honors classmates were busy figuring out their College destinations, while I sat quiet in the back making believe that I to would attend college and fulfill my dreams. It's quite unfortunate BUT where there's a will there's a way. I managed to gather enough funds, mostly through family, to be able to attend 1 year or college at a CUNY CityTech for Computer Engineering. From there i was able to get jobs no one else wanted that required a higher level of education than most of my countrymen possess. Yet not for what I was studying.

I hate to have come across this site during bad times, but ::sigh:: I was recently laid off my job of 3 years. Even then, having the job didn't assure me peace and happiness. Most companies hire me because they know they wont have to give me any benefits AT ALL AND!! pay me less, who would want to treated this way? There is hope in the DREAM act and local state laws, but even then what do i do now? Wait another 6 years hoping that I would somehow by grace of god be given a social security number? Life is short and I for one am not the person whom will make a difference. I have given up. Baja California seems to be a light at the end of this cold and terrible tunnel.

I have begun to ponder the idea of just leaving the US all together. Heck the government doesn't even want me here! What is life really like in Baja? Of course this wont be a transition done over night, I'm thinking maybe 2 - 3 years. Once there venture out and see what happens and of course think of the future. I would like to one day have my own restaurant/bar/lounge/club type of business or something with computers. I'm literally a jack-of-all-trades, learning as much as I can about the Food/Beverage and Hospitality industry in NYC, as well as having a love for music, art, sports, and technology.

I will humbly ask if someone out there can point me in the right direction? Primarily towards acquiring an apartment and an idea of the job market. My mind is racing at 100mph and im here tying to at least make a plan and not freak out completely.

I do have family in Mexico, but well I don't even know them. Telling my mother I want to leave will seem ridiculous to her, since she sacrificed so much get me here. Once i leave there is no coming back. Could it be that this is the wrong answer? It's kind of ironic how so many people attempt to cross the border to the land of the free, and here I am trying to go back.

Re: [BajaBoundEzz] Introduce Yourself -- Part 3

I guess it's time I introduced myself. I've been hanging around for a while, reading other people's posts. Genetically, I'm 100% Appalachian, which of course includes a bit of Cherokee. I've lived lots of places, and feel fortunate to have done so.It's funny how life sometimes brings you back around to where you started. I still remember how I was first introduced to Latin America back in grade school. We sang 'Celito Lindo' (Aye, yi yi yi, sing Spanish gladness ~ as I remember). I put my heart in it! I wanted a llama and I was ready to move to Peru!Later, when I was ready for a foreign language, Spanish wasn't offered, so I chose French, and also Latin American History. What a combo! But no matter, I don't remember much of either.In college I met and married a man from Southeast Asia, lived there a while and taught English. Divorced. Remarried a few years later and moved to a town on Flacon Lake in Texas. Around that time I saw a movie featuring music of Beny More. It was a life changing experience. I have been on a listening and learning quest since, currently exploring Mexican musical genres. Lila Downs is a definite favorite. Exploring Mexican towns on the border, and talking with people, I decided that the state of Oaxaca was somewhere I wanted to go. Someday. As you may know, someday usually never comes.In a twist, my daughter ( youngest of two adult children) planned to go to her dad's country for a TESOL course and teach there. When she learned the same school offered a course in Mexico, and it is so very much cheaper to live in Mexico, she decided on Mexico instead. Looks like someday just may arrive! I'm reading as much as possible about the area where she is, and taking an online Spanish course. I hope to visit in the fall sometime. Can't wait!

Oh, I forgot (temporarily) one of my favorite subjects: FOOD! Asian & Latin are my two favorites and I am enjoying learning about the ingredients common to both Mexico and SE Asia. I love combining the two for a Latin Asian fusion. Yum! For example a friend and I were discussing using a bit of curry in mole, or perhaps using a bit of chocolate in a curry. Sometimes what I eat one day on rice may be wrapped in a tortilla the next, and vice versa.

Re: [Rolly] Introduce Yourself -- Part 3

Re: [Rolly] Introduce Yourself -- Part 3

Hi, my name is Charlie Benfane living in Nevada, USA. I was actively searching for a move to Mexico about 4 yrs back and now being bitten by the bug again. I have friends in Lagos de Moreno, although last time I was considering San Miguel Allende. Im am retired and living on a fixed income and think the change will do me good in more ways than one. Any suggestions or comments are welcome, thank you.

Re: [JRLankford] Introduce Yourself -- Part 3

I have recently completed the CD spanish course, Virtual Links. I liked having it loaded onto my laptop for study anytime and any place without the necessary internet connection. The course enabled me to begin speaking right away and was a great help in getting settled here in Catemaco, Veracruz. I find that too much grammar, too soon, would bog me down, but Virtual Links gets you speaking in sentences first so that now I feel I'm ready to attain further study at a language school in Veracruz to improve my sentence structure and give my speaking more flexibility.

Re: [JRLankford] Introduce Yourself -- Part 3

The course I took was Speed Spanish, which is available at www.ed2go.com. I learned about it through a regional community college. Course 1 was very helpful. In my opinion the second course got rather bogged down in trying to teach too much in too little time.

A good free go at your own pace study is to be found at www.studyspanish.com. I have gone back to it now and like that I can switch back and forth between grammar, pronunciation and verbs as I feel the need. There is also a for pay course. I

Re: [jacksmith123] Introduce Yourself -- Part 3

My name is Michael. I am Canadian and in my mid-thirties. I currently live in Banff, Alberta and work as a wine director for a local restaurant and in the retail and distribution side of our local wine shop.

My wife is from Aguascalientes and I met her while I was on vacation on the Riviera Maya in 2007 for a family reunion. We were staying at the same resort and despite not speaking each other's language, we hit it off and stayed in touch after the vacation was over and we had returned to our respective homes. I took an extended vacation that Autumn and traveled to Aguascalientes. I spent two months there and we traveled the country together in a rental car. Driving the Pacific coast to Puerto Escondido and coming back up via Oaxaca and Mexico City.

At the end of the two months I stole her away to Canada. We returned to visit her family the next year and were engaged on a rooftop in Guanajuato. We were to be stuck in Canada for the next two years dealing with her permanent residency. In 2011 we were married among friends and family from both countries in Puerto Vallarta.

We are now processing my permanent residency for Mexico and intend to relocate to Guanajuato this Fall to open a small business.

Re: [Rolly] Introduce Yourself -- Part 3

Hello everybody, My name is Mateo (Matt) I have been living in Ajijic 5 years now. If you would like to know more about me please visit my site. Anybody needing technical assistance here please feel free to ask. Advise is always free :) Best Regards, Mateo

Re: [Rolly] Introduce Yourself -- Part 3

My name is Tatiana. New here :-) Planning on moving to Mexico in the next 6-9 months with my family of 6. We have done alot of traveling in the U.S. & we are ready for an extended stay for a period (or hopefully permanetly) in Mexico. The pace of life here N.O.B. is not for us. We are looking for a more relaxed pace where family & friends are important, and always having the best of everything and competition for it is not. & of course, beautiful weather and great food as well! As of right now, I have read alot about the Lake Chapala/Ajijic area, the Merida area, the Manzanillo & Matzatlan areas. However, we dont necessary need a touristy area. A place with good volunteer oppurtunities are important. we are social and tend to like to live somewhere where there are things to do and see. Adventurous. Also we would like to skip the colder weather. (No freezing temps) :-) Sounds like im asking for paradise lol...

We dont know alot of Spanish, but we are practicing daily. Our kids are ages 3, 5, 8, 13. we currently homeschool.

My husband works in the nuclear field and travels the states. We love to cook & to eat all kinds of yummy foods. I like to do all kinds of different craft related things.

Re: [Rolly] Introduce Yourself -- Part 3

My name is David and I have been living in Cozumel permanently for about 5 years now. I recently became aware of this Mexico Forum through a member that was trying to find me info regarding Importing my Foreign Vehicle.

I have been following a few forums related to Cozumel but this is the first one I have seen that covers the whole country.

I received my Residente Permanente card this past Friday and I must say I was very, very surprised at how quickly the process was.

Living on the Beautiful Isla de Cozumel it truly a dream come true for me. I come from Windsor, Ontario, Canada and do not miss the Canadian Winters one bit. lol My Spanish has been a real challenge but I am finally at a point where I can communicate reasonably well in Spanish but I still have a LONG WAY to go.

I have driven through Mexico from Canada twice, 2 times South to Cozumel but only returned to Canada once. I have also done a lot of driving in the states of Veracruz, Puebla, Chiapas, Oaxaca, Tabasco, Campeche, Yucatan and of coarse Quintana Roo as well as Belize and Guatemala. There is still so much more to see.

If I can be of any help for anyone that needs information regarding my area I would be more that pleased to help.

Re: [abcmno] Introduce Yourself -- Part 3

Hi, my husband and I are transplanted Canadians from Winnipeg, now living in Mazatlan Mexico. We are both retired educators who enjoy travel, although we have not travelled much in Mexico. We love Mazatlan as it has every thing we love: warm people, the ocean and all the conveniences we require. We purchased a home here that we renovated and are very happy and content. We have two 80 pound yellow labs, Basil and Memphis,who accompanied us on the long drive from Winnipeg in our truck. We have been here a year this month, and are hoping that by the time we get our Residente Permanente, the process of nationalizing our vehicle will not require us to drive to the border and back ! I really enjoy this forum and find it to be very informative. It's also nice to hear someone else's story.Good to meet you!

Re: [jbowler] Introduce Yourself -- Part 3

I have been here on and off for a few years in my research for a place to become an expat in the next 5-7 years when I retire. I have now moved closer to that goal having been transferred (willingly) to a maquilladora in Reynosa and live in McAllen/Mission, TX area. I traverse the Anzalduas bridge 10 times a week usually....occasionally I venture to Reynosa/Hidalgo. I've been here 3 months!

I am learning that the rules for working and living in Mexico are ever changing !!! I'm in the process of a Business Visa (FM3) that is proving quite fun. This is a great way to become ready to go...free Spanish lessons (I only had Latin and German) and everyday exposure to culture and language....all my reports are Mexican and one or two have limited English skills.

So I will be around on occasion, continuing my research into my current destination, Sayulita or other possibilities and observing all the issues and questions. Thanks in advance for your help.

Re: [La Isla] Introduce Yourself -- Part 3

Maybe, who knows.. For now it is just a simple interest in Mexico and this community, everything in order to contribute here and to hangout.. Thanks for the welcome... :) Try American English pronunciation software!

Re: [Rolly] Introduce Yourself -- Part 3

I miss Rolly! I thought Rolly a grand fellow. We only chatted once or twice online when I asked him about graffiti in Mexico. Some of the graffiti is glorious, spreading over walls like mysterious messages left in the night by the spirits of dead gods.

Unlike most of you, I do not live in far-flung places nor have traveled the world. I have been out of the United States only twice, and only one of those times really counts. I crossed over to Canada from Minnesota for five minutes when I was ten years old, long enough to acquire a small red and white flag with a maple leaf on it. It was more like tagging First Base than actually going anywhere.

Mexico counts. I was member of a high school Spanish class from Tennessee, who dropped down from Texas like a bunch of teenage tarantulas, landed briefly on Montemorelos, then hurtled on down to torment Mexico City. Our faculty chaperones were so traumatized that our school never again took students out of the country. We were that bad.

Since then, life has not offered me the opportunity to travel, but recently I discovered Google Maps. The 3D streetview feature has allowed freedom at last to wander all over the world. In some ways it beats going in person. I can gaze as long as I want to at whatever fascinates me without someone wondering why I've stood for two hours in front of their house.

But no matter where I "travel," I always return to Mexico.

And that's why I'm here. I see things in my 3D wanderings that I have questions about, and nobody to ask. Most of the info I find online about Mexico is geared toward gringos with money who want to live the gringo life in Mexico. I am not a gringo with money, and even if I was, that is not what interests me. I'm interested in Mexico from the inside out, not from the outside in. Some of you sound like you know it from the inside out, so maybe you can tolerate a virtual traveler in your midst, asking strange questions.

Re: [Mirador] Introduce Yourself -- Part 3

I am not one of those who is particularly qualified to tell you about Mexico, but as a person who loves looking at maps and has enjoyed virtual travel, I really liked your introduction. You sound like someone who would be fun to get to know. There are quite a few people on this board who will answer all sorts of questions, so ask away. Even those of us who live pretty much as they did in their home country may have an insight or two to enrich your "travel" experience.

Re: [yucatandreamer] Introduce Yourself -- Part 3

Thank you for the welcome, Yucatandreamer! And I didn't mean to disparage the knowledge of those who live pretty much as they did in their home country. (Not that you said I did, but I realize how that part of my post probably sounded.)

That is so cool that I'm not the only one who enjoys maps and virtual travel. I knew there must be others or else Google wouldn't keep blazing the trails, but the people I know personally tend to turn up their noses at it, saying they'd rather travel in person. Well, I'm glad they can, but I'm still thrilled that I can travel virtually.

Re: [angleprety] Introduce Yourself -- Part 3

My name is Gabriel. I'm in my twenties and I was born in USA, but I've been living in Baja California for a while now. I've lived near the Mexican border pretty much my whole life, mostly in Southern California, and I speak both English and Spanish fluently.

I met my (now) husband via mutual friends in 2010, which is one of the main reasons I moved to Mexico. We married last year in Mexico City because the legal situation is somewhat complicated right now for LGBT couples who wish to marry in this state. Currently, we live in Mexicali with our two pit bulls, but we are looking into moving to DF or possibly Guadalajara to escape the desert and pursue new opportunities.

I look forward to sharing my knowledge/experiences and learning more about everyone else. :)

Re: [gabrielin] Introduce Yourself -- Part 3

Hi everyone. New here obviously I'm planning on taking a long term assigment with my employer to come live in Mexico City. I'm married with 3 children and one on the way. I actually lived in DF when I was a child for about four years but haven't been back since. I'm beginning my research on the ins and outs dos and don'ts as I know lots has changed the past 30 yrs.